VILLAGE COUNCIL VACANCIES

Senate Bills 712 (proposed substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Jon Bumstead

House Committee:  Local Government and Municipal Finance

Senate Committee:  Finance

Complete to 3-11-20

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 712 would amend rules regarding the filling of vacancies on a village council in the General Law Village Act, as well as the conduct of meetings at which a quorum did not exist.

           

Chapter 2: Officers

Currently, the act provides that resignations of village officers be made to the council (consisting of the president and either four or six trustees). Under the bill, the president’s resignation would be to the village clerk and all other resignations would be to the president.

Officers means the president, clerk, or treasurer, a village trustee, or an appointed person authorized by the council.

Chapter 5: Village Council

The bill would provide that, if meeting to fill a vacancy in the office of village president or trustee, a majority of the members of council serving would constitute a quorum. In the absence of a village ordinance, if a village council lacked a quorum for more than 60 consecutive calendar days, the presiding member could compel attendance at a regular or special meeting and enforce the orderly conduct in the meeting. A member who refused to attend the meeting for a reason other than a confining illness or extenuating circumstance would be guilty of gross neglect of duty. The presiding officer could designate a police officer to enforce this provision.

MCL 62.10 and 65.5

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.